Manchester United is reportedly preparing for a more competitive bid for Antony, the Brazilian winger who hasn't quite lived up to his hefty £82 million price tag from his transfer from Ajax. In his time at Old Trafford, Antony has scored just 12 goals and provided 5 assists over 96 appearances. Fans are left wondering if this investment is worth it!

With the arrival of new coach Ruben Amorim, Antony's position has become precarious, leading to his loan move to LaLiga's Real Betis. Since his departure, Antony has shown a remarkable revival, netting four goals and supplying four assists in just 11 matches for the Spanish side.

However, the CEO of Real Betis, Ramon Alarcon, has expressed interest in retaining Antony once his loan concludes, but things could get complicated. Currently, Real Betis is not obligated to purchase him. Reports indicate that Betis is preparing to negotiate a new deal, aiming for a financial arrangement that may not align with Manchester United's goals.

The Red Devils are eager to sell Antony outright, but Real Betis is reportedly leaning towards a second loan deal. Initially, they had wanted to arrange an 18-month loan, but fiscal realities condensed that plan to just six months. Real Betis is now looking to revive their original proposal, which includes covering a larger portion of Antony’s substantial £200,000-a-week wages—currently only 16% is funded by Betis.

Interestingly, if Man Utd cannot find a suitable permanent deal, reports suggest they may extend Antony’s contract before agreeing to a second loan. His current contract runs until 2027, and should he return from another loan in 2025 with only one year left on his deal, United will find themselves in a tight negotiating spot. An extension could provide a tactical advantage, especially with a club option available to cover the 2027/28 season.

Antony himself appears optimistic about remaining in Spain, expressing happiness at Real Betis and a willingness to re-sign if negotiations unfold.

In other Manchester United news, there's speculation around Rasmus Hojlund, with Napoli reportedly identifying him as a target alongside Udinese's Lorenzo Lucca. While Manchester United’s asking price seems to be around £50 million, a cash-plus-player deal which could include Victor Osimhen moving to Old Trafford is also on the table.

Moreover, updates from injury reports say Ayden Heaven is recuperating after being stretchered off during a match against Leicester, and as the summer transfer window approaches, it's been revealed that United plans to part ways with six first-team players.

Stay tuned for this thrilling transfer saga, as Manchester United looks to reshape their squad and make impactful moves!